📖 Overview
Howard Goodall is a British composer, broadcaster and music historian born in 1958. He has achieved recognition both for his musical compositions and his work making classical music accessible to general audiences through television documentaries and books.
Goodall's compositions span choral works, musical theater, and television themes, including scores for popular British series like "Blackadder," "Red Dwarf," and "The Vicar of Dibley." His classical works have been performed at major venues including Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and St Paul's Cathedral.
As a broadcaster and educator, Goodall has presented several notable documentary series for the BBC, including "Howard Goodall's Big Bangs" and "How Music Works." His book "The Story of Music" accompanies his BBC series and provides a comprehensive overview of music history from prehistoric times to the digital age.
Beyond his creative and educational work, Goodall has served as England's first National Ambassador for Singing and has been awarded a CBE for his services to music education. He continues to compose, write, and advocate for music education in schools.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Goodall's ability to explain complex musical concepts in clear, accessible language. His books receive credit for making music history engaging for non-musicians. Multiple Amazon reviews note his skill at connecting historical developments to modern music.
Liked:
- Clear explanations of music theory without requiring prior knowledge
- Use of specific musical examples to illustrate concepts
- Balance of technical detail and broader historical context
- Engaging writing style that maintains reader interest
Disliked:
- Some readers find the TV series companion books too simplified
- Western classical music receives more focus than other traditions
- Limited coverage of 21st century developments in music
Ratings:
Amazon: "The Story of Music" - 4.5/5 (250+ reviews)
Goodreads: "Big Bangs" - 4.2/5 (180+ reviews)
"How Music Works" - 4.3/5 (150+ reviews)
One reader noted: "Goodall explains music history with the enthusiasm of a favorite teacher." Another commented: "Finally understood music theory concepts that confused me for years."
📚 Books by Howard Goodall
The Story of Music (2013)
A chronological exploration of music's evolution from prehistoric times through the digital age, examining key developments in musical styles, instruments, and composition across different cultures and periods.
Big Bangs: Five Musical Revolutions (2000) An examination of five pivotal moments that transformed Western music: notation, equal temperament, opera, recorded sound, and the piano.
The Story of Music in 50 Pieces (2013) A journey through musical history using 50 significant compositions as waypoints, analyzing their context, structure, and influence.
How Music Works (2006) An analysis of music's fundamental elements - melody, rhythm, harmony, and bass - explaining their development and function in musical composition.
Music and Mankind (2016) A comprehensive study of humanity's relationship with music throughout history, examining its role in different societies and cultures.
Big Bangs: Five Musical Revolutions (2000) An examination of five pivotal moments that transformed Western music: notation, equal temperament, opera, recorded sound, and the piano.
The Story of Music in 50 Pieces (2013) A journey through musical history using 50 significant compositions as waypoints, analyzing their context, structure, and influence.
How Music Works (2006) An analysis of music's fundamental elements - melody, rhythm, harmony, and bass - explaining their development and function in musical composition.
Music and Mankind (2016) A comprehensive study of humanity's relationship with music throughout history, examining its role in different societies and cultures.
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Peter Ackroyd combines historical research with narrative storytelling in his cultural histories of England and its arts. His work explores the connections between music, literature, and place through books like "London: The Biography" and "Thames: Sacred River."
Damon Krukowski examines how technology shapes our experience of music and sound. His book "Ways of Hearing" explores the transition from analog to digital sound and its effects on how we listen to and create music.
Daniel Levitin writes about music from a neuroscience perspective, explaining how the brain processes and responds to music. His books combine research from psychology, neuroscience, and music theory to explain why humans create and respond to music.
Julian Johnson analyzes classical music's role in contemporary culture and society. His writing examines how classical music relates to modern listeners and why it remains relevant in the present day.